Pain with No Clear Cause

If a toothache starts for no apparent reason, it could be due to any number of oral health issues, including a fractured tooth.

Do I need to worry about cracking a tooth?

Certain Bad Habits
Increase Your Risk for Cracks

Anyone can suffer a cracked tooth, but you face a greater risk if you:

Grind or clench your teeth

Have misaligned teeth

Play contact sports

Chew ice or fingernails

Eat large quantities of sugary foods

Have an eating disorder

Suffer from acid reflux

So why do teeth become cracked?

Injury, Pressure, and Weakened Tissue
Can All Damage Your Teeth

Trauma

No matter how healthy your teeth are, an impact with a blunt object can easily result in a dental fracture. Cracked teeth are a common injury that occurs in sports, car accidents, the gym, or in the home.

Repeated Pressure

Certain teeth may be subjected to more than their share of bite pressure due to misalignment, using certain teeth to bite fingernails or open packages, or bruxism.

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Compromised Dental Tissue

Acidic foods, stomach acid, and genetics can all result in eroded and weakened dental enamel, making your teeth more susceptible to developing fractures.

How will my dentist and I know if my tooth is cracked?

"The most important factor in diagnosis of a cracked tooth is awareness that these cracks occur."Caryl E. Cameron, DDS, Northwestern University Dental School

Prevention Is Simple

Attend Regular Dental Checkups

Your dentist can identify signs of teeth grinding and issues such as misalignment, and recommend treatments to correct these issues.

Take Precautions

Wear a mouthguard when playing sports and take safety measures during DIY projects around the house.

Break Bad Habits

Chewing things like pen caps, ice, and fingernails can eventually result in a dental fracture. Too much sugary or acidic food can also increase your risk of a cracked tooth.

If I can't see a fracture, how will my doctor find it?

X-Rays and Other Tests

X-Rays and Microscopes

Taking an x-ray of your bite can help to reveal cracks that are not immediately apparent to the naked eye. Microscopes can also reveal cracks.

Transillumination

Your dentist may place a light source against the tooth. A crack will interrupt light passing through the tooth.

Bite Tests

If you bite down on an object such as a cotton roll and then suddenly release the pressure, any resulting pain is likely indicative of a cracked tooth.

My tooth is cracked. Can it be repaired?

Treating Cracked Teeth

dental-veneers

Veneers and Bonding

Veneers and bonding can conceal minor cracks that do not threaten your oral health.

Dental Crowns

A more serious dental fracture may require a crown, which can provide protection against further damage.

Root Canal

Some cracks can result in a dental infection. A root canal can remove infected soft tissue and salvage the exterior, which is restored with a dental crown.

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Extraction

If a tooth is too compromised, extraction may be the best solution. The tooth can be replaced with a dental implant and crown to maintain the balance of your bite and prevent jaw atrophy.